curcumin + paclitaxel

Curcumin + paclitaxel is a combination therapy that shows synergistic anticancer effects. Curcumin, a polyphenol derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa), enhances the therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel, a conventional chemotherapeutic agent. This combination has demonstrated superior outcomes compared to paclitaxel alone in various cancer types, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancers. The synergistic effect works through multiple mechanisms, including downregulation of NF-κB, enhanced apoptosis induction, and regulation of the miR-9-5p/BRCA1 axis in ovarian cancer. Intravenous administration of curcumin overcomes its typically poor bioavailability when taken orally.